Communication terminal apparatus, communication method thereof, and connected destination selection method in wireless LAN

ABSTRACT

To provide a communication terminal apparatus including a first wireless communication unit that can connect with a host computer, a second wireless communication unit that can connect with connecting equipment by wireless, an equipment information storage unit for storing image information showing an appearance of the above-described connecting equipment, a display unit for displaying the appearance of the connecting equipment, and a designating unit for establishing communication with the connecting equipment thereafter, which is designated, when the appearance of the desired connecting equipment that is displayed in the above-described display unit is designated, in which, since the above-described wireless communication unit receives and displays image information showing the appearance of the above-described connecting equipment from the host computer if the image information showing the appearance of the above-described connecting equipment is not stored in the equipment information storage unit. Hence it becomes possible for the communication terminal apparatus to receive the appearance and product names of all the connecting equipment that are connected to the communication terminal apparatus, to display them in the display unit, and to establish communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a communication terminal apparatus, acommunication method thereof, and a connected destination selectionmethod in wireless LAN, and in particular, to a communication terminalapparatus, which can transmit information with a plurality of connectingequipment by wireless, a communication method thereof, and a connecteddestination selection method in a wireless LAN.

2. Description of Related Art

An information service system, which controls not to communicate if theinformation that should be downloaded does not exist when information isdownloaded from a server by using a small communication terminal, isdisclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-130426.

In addition, an information service system that recognizes positionalinformation of a communication terminal apparatus connected andtransmits the positional information to the communication terminalapparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-83976.

A mutual registration method of information, by which informationnecessary at the time when wireless communication between PHS extensionsis performed without a main phone can be registered between two PHSextensions, is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-182156.

In addition, a telephone apparatus that can easily identify a name of acaller who gets on the phone is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-OpenNo. 5-167669.

However, in a communication terminal disclosed in the Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 9-130426 and the Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-83976, amethod for acquiring information of connecting equipment which isfurther connected to a communications terminal and can perform wirelesscommunication is not disclosed.

In the case of a system including connecting equipment that can performwireless communication and is connected to a communication terminal, itis conceivable to instruct a user to select desired connecting equipmentfrom among listed equipment by displaying a list of the equipment, whichcan connect to the communication terminal, in a display device of thecommunications terminal in such an aspect of outside views of theconnecting equipment when the user is going to select connectingequipment to which the user desires to perform communication connection.Although it is convenient that the connecting equipment informationdisplayed is stored in the connecting equipment, it is diseconomy thatinformation having big file size like an appearance image of connectingequipment is stored in the connecting equipment. In addition, althoughit is conceivable that a communication terminal stores appearance imageinformation of all the connecting equipment that can be connected to thecommunication terminal, it is difficult to always have appearanceinformation about new models of the connecting equipment.

In the registration method of information disclosed in the JapanesePatent Laid-Open No. 9-182156, only the registration of one-to-onecommunication can be performed, and it is necessary to provide aninfrared communication port.

Furthermore, a telephone apparatus disclosed in the Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 5-167669 just searches and displays a caller's namecorresponding to a telephone number received, mutual authentication oftelephones is impossible, and further the telephone apparatuscorresponds only to one-to-one communication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of suchcircumstances, and its object is to provide a communication terminalapparatus and a communication method that can receive and display theinformation of appearance and product names of all the connectedequipment, which are communicatively connected to the communicationterminal, by a communication terminal, and establish communication.

The present invention has been achieved in consideration of suchcircumstances, and its another object is to provide a connecteddestination selection method in a wireless LAN for selecting desiredconnecting equipment from among a plurality of connecting equipmentexisting within a communication range of connected equipment, andcommunicating with the desired connecting equipment.

In order to attain above-described objects, the present invention isdirected to a communication terminal apparatus, comprising: acommunication device which is connectable with a host computer; awireless communication device which is connectable with connectingequipment by wireless communication; a storage device which stores imageinformation showing appearance of the connecting equipment; a displaydevice which displays appearance of connecting equipment on the basis ofimage information showing the appearance of the connecting equipmentthat is stored in the storage device when wireless communication withthe connecting equipment is started; and a designating device whichestablishes communication with connecting equipment thereafter which isdesignated, when appearance of the desired connecting equipment that isdisplayed in the display device is designated, wherein the communicationdevice receives and stores image information showing the appearance ofthe connecting equipment from the host computer if the image informationshowing the appearance of the connecting equipment is not stored in thestorage device.

According to the present invention, it becomes possible for thecommunication terminal to receive the appearance and product names ofall the connecting equipment which are connected to the communicationterminal, to display them in the display device, and to establishcommunication with designating desired connecting equipment.

In order to attain above-described objects, the present invention isdirected to a communication method of the above-described communicationterminal apparatus, the communication terminal apparatus performingtransmission and reception of data with a host computer and connectingequipment through the communication terminal apparatus aftercommunication is established between the communication terminalapparatus and the connection equipment, wherein, when the communicationterminal apparatus establishes communication with desired connectingequipment, the communication terminal apparatus performs the methodcomprising the steps of: (a) receiving equipment information, showingthe connecting equipment, from connecting equipment; (b) connecting tothe host computer on the basis of the equipment information, andreceiving image information, showing appearance of the connectingequipment, from the host computer; (c) displaying appearance of theconnecting equipment in the display device of the communication terminalapparatus on the basis of the image information which is received or wasreceived and stored beforehand; and (d) establishing communication withthe connecting equipment that is designated, when appearance of thedesired connecting equipment that is displayed in the display device isdesignated.

According to the present invention, when a communication terminalapparatus establishes communication with desired connecting equipment,the communication terminal apparatus executes the steps of: (a)receiving equipment information, showing the connecting equipment, fromthe connecting equipment; (b) connecting to the host computer on thebasis of the equipment information, and receiving image information,showing the appearance of the connecting equipment, from the hostcomputer; (c) displaying the appearance of the connecting equipment in adisplay device of the communication terminal apparatus on the basis ofthe image information which is received or was received and storedbeforehand; and (d) establishing communication with connectingequipment, which is designated, when the appearance of the desiredconnecting equipment that is displayed in the display device isdesignated, and hence it becomes possible for the communication terminalto receive the appearance and product names of all the connectingequipment which are connected to the communication terminal, to displaythem in the display device, and to establish communication withdesignating the desired connecting equipment.

In order to attain above-described objects, the present invention isdirected to a connected destination selection method in a wireless LAN,the wireless LAN comprising: connecting equipment which can performwireless communication; and connected equipment which can performwireless communication with the connecting equipment and includes adisplay device and a designating device, wherein: the wireless LANautomatically starts communication when the connected equipment and theconnecting equipment come within a wireless communication range; theconnected equipment receives identification information that can specifythe connecting equipment from among the connecting equipment; thedisplay device of the connected equipment displays identificationinformation for identifying connecting equipment; and the wireless LANestablishes wireless connection between the connecting equipment and theconnected equipment when desired connecting equipment is designated fromamong the displayed connecting equipment.

According to the present invention, the connected equipment and theconnecting equipment automatically start communication when comingwithin a wireless communication range; the connected equipment receivesidentification information that can specify the connecting equipmentfrom among the connecting equipment; a display device of the connectedequipment displays the identification information for identifyingconnecting equipment; the wireless LAN establishes wirelesscommunication between the connecting equipment and the connectedequipment when desired connecting equipment is designated from among thedisplayed connecting equipment, and hence it becomes possible to selectdesired connecting equipment from among a plurality of connectingequipment existing in a communication range of the connected equipment,and to communicate with the desired connecting equipment.

In order to attain above-described objects, the present invention isdirected to a connected destination selection method in a wireless LAN,the wireless LAN comprising: connecting equipment which can performwireless communication; and connected equipment which can performwireless communication with the connecting equipment, wherein: accordingto pressing of a key, provided in the connecting equipment, and a key,provided in the connected equipment, wireless connection between theconnected equipment and the connecting equipment is established.

According to the present invention, depending on pressing of a keyprovided in the connecting equipment, and a key provided in theconnected equipment, wireless communication between the connectedequipment and the connecting equipment is established, and hence itbecomes possible to select desired connecting equipment from among aplurality of connecting equipment existing in a communication range ofthe connected equipment, and to communicate with the desired connectingequipment.

In order to attain above-described objects, the present invention isdirected to a connected destination selection method in a wireless LAN,the wireless LAN comprising: connecting equipment which can performwireless communication; and connected equipment which can performwireless communication with the connecting equipment, wherein: if apredetermined key, provided in the connecting equipment, and apredetermined key, provided in the connected equipment, are pressednearly at the same time, wireless connection between the connectedequipment and the connecting equipment is established.

According to the present invention, if a predetermined key provided inthe connecting equipment, and a predetermined key provided in theconnected equipment are pressed nearly at the same time, wirelesscommunication between the connected equipment and the connectingequipment is established, and hence it becomes possible to selectdesired connecting equipment from among a plurality of connectingequipment existing in a communication range of the connected equipment,and to communicate with the desired connecting equipment.

In order to attain above-described objects, the present invention isdirected to a connected destination selection method in a wireless LAN,the wireless LAN comprising: connecting equipment which can performwireless communication; and connected equipment which can performwireless communication with the connecting equipment, wherein: if apredetermined key, provided in the connecting equipment, and apredetermined key, provided in the connected equipment, are pressed inpredetermined sequence, wireless connection between the connectedequipment and the connecting equipment is established.

According to the present invention, wireless communication between theconnected equipment and the connecting equipment is established if apredetermined key provided in the connecting equipment, and apredetermined key provided in the connected equipment are pressed inpredetermined order, and hence it becomes possible to select desiredconnecting equipment from among a plurality of connecting equipmentexisting in a communication range of the connected equipment, and tocommunicate with the desired connecting equipment.

In order to attain above-described objects, the present invention isdirected to a connected destination selection method in a wireless LAN,the wireless LAN comprising: connecting equipment which can performwireless communication; and connected equipment which can performwireless communication with the connecting equipment, wherein: when theconnected equipment receives sound that is unique to the connectingequipment and is given from the connecting equipment, wirelessconnection between the connected equipment and the connecting equipmentis established.

According to the present invention, when the connected equipmentreceives the sound that is unique to and is given from the connectingequipment, wireless communication between the connected equipment andthe connecting equipment is established, and hence it becomes possibleto select desired connecting equipment from among a plurality ofconnecting equipment existing in a communication range of the connectedequipment, and to communicate with the desired connecting equipment.

In order to attain above-described objects, the present invention isdirected to a connected destination selection method in a wireless LAN,the wireless LAN comprising: connecting equipment which can performwireless communication and take a photograph; and connected equipmentwhich can perform wireless communication with the connecting equipmentand includes a display device, wherein: the connecting equipment takes aphotograph of expression in the display device of the connectedequipment so as to detect displayed contents of the connected equipment;and the connecting equipment establishes wireless connection with theconnected equipment if the displayed contents of the connected equipmentare contents predetermined.

According to the present invention, the connecting equipment photographsexpression in a display device of the connected equipment; displayedcontents of the connected equipment are detected; and wirelesscommunication with the connected equipment is established if thesedisplayed contents are equal to predetermined displayed contents, andhence it becomes possible to select desired connecting equipment fromamong a plurality of connecting equipment existing in a communicationrange of the connected equipment, and to communicate with the desiredconnecting equipment.

In order to attain above-described objects, the present invention isdirected to a connected destination selection method in a wireless LAN,the wireless LAN comprising: connecting equipment which can performwireless communication and can detect vibration or impact sound; andconnected equipment which can perform wireless communication with theconnecting equipment and can detect at least one of vibration and impactsound, wherein: wireless connection is established by the connectingequipment and the connected equipment recognizing each other if theconnecting equipment and the connected equipment are contacted.

According to the present invention, if the connecting equipment and theconnected equipment are contacted, the connected equipment and theconnecting equipment recognize each other and wireless communicationbetween the connected equipment and the connecting equipment isestablished, and hence it becomes possible to select desired connectingequipment from among a plurality of connecting equipment existing in acommunication range of the connected equipment, and to communicate withthe desired connecting equipment.

In order to attain above-described objects, the present invention isdirected to a connected destination selection method in a wireless LAN,the wireless LAN comprising: connecting equipment which can performwireless communication; and connected equipment which can performwireless communication with the connecting equipment and includes aninformation device giving at least one of sound, light, and vibration,the method comprising the steps of: automatically establishing wirelessconnection when the connected equipment and the connecting equipmentcome within a wireless communication range; and informing a user ofestablishment of the wireless connection by giving sound, light, orvibration from the information device provided in the connectedequipment when the wireless connection is completely established.

According to the present invention, wireless connection is automaticallyestablished when the connected equipment and the connecting equipmentcome within a communicable range and a user is informed of theestablishment of wireless connection by giving a sound, light, orvibration from the information device provided in the connectedequipment when the wireless connection is established, and hence itbecomes possible to easily know that desired connecting equipment isselected from among a plurality of connecting equipment existing in acommunication range of the connected equipment.

In order to attain above-described objects, the present invention isdirected to a connected destination selection method in a wireless LAN,the wireless LAN comprising: connecting equipment which can performwireless communication; and connected equipment which can performwireless communication with the connecting equipment, the methodcomprising the steps of: automatically starting communication when theconnected equipment and the connecting equipment come within acommunication range; sending common key information, used forauthentication, to the connecting equipment and establishing wirelessconnection by detecting that a common key, provided in the connectingequipment, and a common key, provided in the connected equipment, arepressed, if it is the first time connection; sending predetermined keyinformation, used for authentication, to the connecting equipment, andcontinuing communication as information for recognizing a user bydetecting that a predetermined key, provided in the connectingequipment, and a predetermined key, provided in the connected equipment,are pressed, if it is the second time connection; and recognizing theuser and continuing communication by detecting that a predetermined key,provided in the connecting equipment, and a predetermined key, providedin the connected equipment, are pressed, if it is the third timeconnection or after.

According to the present invention, communication is automaticallystarted when the connected equipment and the connecting equipment comewithin a communicable range; common key information used forauthentication is sent to the connecting equipment if it is the firsttime connection, and wireless connection is established by detectingthat a common key provided in the connecting equipment, and a common keyprovided in the connected equipment are pressed; predetermined keyinformation used for authentication is sent to the connecting equipmentif it is the second time connection, and communication is continued asinformation for recognizing a user by detecting that a predetermined keyprovided in the connecting equipment, and a predetermined key providedin the connected equipment are pressed; the user is recognized andcommunication is continued by detecting that a predetermined keyprovided in the connecting equipment, and a predetermined key providedin the connected equipment are pressed, if it is after third timeconnection, and hence it becomes possible to easily select desiredconnecting equipment from among a plurality of connecting equipmentexisting in a communication range of connected equipment, and tocommunicate with the desired connecting equipment.

In order to attain above-described objects, the present invention isdirected to a connected destination selection method in a wireless LAN,the wireless LAN comprising: connecting equipment which can performwireless communication; and connected equipment which can performwireless communication with the connecting equipment, wherein: wirelessconnection is automatically authenticated each other and establishedwhen the connected equipment and the connecting equipment come within acommunication range; and a user is able to designate a mode, in whichmutual authentication is limited to the first time one, or another mode,in which mutual authentication is performed first two times and more,from a designating device provided in the connected equipment.

According to the present invention, both of connected equipment andconnecting equipment automatically authenticate each other and wirelessconnection is established when coming within a communicable range; and auser can designate a mode, in which mutual authentication is limited tothe first time authentication, or another mode, in which mutualauthentication is performed first two times and more, from a designatingdevice provided in the connected equipment, and hence it becomespossible to select desired connecting equipment from among a pluralityof connecting equipment existing in a communication range of connectedequipment, and to prevent unnecessary communication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature of this invention, as well as other objects and advantagesthereof, will be explained in the following with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic camera that can performwireless connection with wireless communication terminal;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the electronic camera;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electronic camera;

FIG. 4 is an appearance of a communication terminal;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the communication terminal;

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the configuration of peripheral equipment atthe time of transmitting and receiving appearance and product names ofconnecting equipment by using a communication terminal apparatus and acommunication method thereof;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart when an electronic camera and a communicationterminal establish communication;

FIG. 8 is a drawing showing connecting equipment information displayedin a communication terminal;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart when an electronic camera and a communicationterminal establish communication;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing another embodiment when an electroniccamera and a communication terminal establish communication;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing still another embodiment when anelectronic camera and a communication terminal establish communication;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a further embodiment when an electroniccamera and a communication terminal establish communication;

FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a state of taking a photograph of“acknowledgement figures,” displayed on a display device of acommunication terminal, with an electronic camera;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a still further embodiment when anelectronic camera and a communication terminal establish communication;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing another embodiment when an electroniccamera and a communication terminal establish communication;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing still another embodiment when anelectronic camera and a communication terminal establish communication;

FIG. 17 is a drawing showing the display of connection equipmentinformation displayed on a display device of a communication terminal;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a further embodiment when an electroniccamera and a communication terminal establish communication;

FIG. 19 is a drawing showing the display of connection equipmentinformation displayed on a display device of a communication terminal;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a still further embodiment when anelectronic camera and a communication terminal establish communication;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing another embodiment when an electroniccamera and a communication terminal establish communication;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing still another embodiment when anelectronic camera and a communication terminal establish communication;and

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing a further embodiment when an electroniccamera and a communication terminal establish communication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a communication terminal apparatusand a communication method thereof according to the present inventionwill be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wireless communication terminal, whichis connected equipment, and an electronic camera that is connectingequipment that can be connected by wireless.

According to the drawing, in front of an electronic camera 10, a releasebutton 2 and a taking lens 4 are provided.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1.

According to the drawing, in a back face of the electronic camera 10: amode switching dial 6 which switches among modes of photography,display, and communication of the electronic camera 10; a cross key 8instructing movement of a cursor, displayed in a display device 32, andcommunication start; a finder 9; and the display device 32 are provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a communication terminal apparatus and anelectronic camera that is connecting equipment that can be connected bywireless.

The electronic camera 10 comprises: an imaging device 12 that forms animage of a subject on an imaging plane, performs photoelectricconversion, and outputs the image as image data; a buzzer 13; a dataprocessing device 14 that performs the control of the entire electroniccamera 10, and control such as sampling timing control of image data,recording control of image data, image recognition of image data, flashrecognition of image data, reading of model information of thiselectronic camera 10, communication control, and display control; avibration detection device 15 that detects a change and acceleration ofvibration applied to the electronic camera 10; an image processingdevice 16 that performs processing such as modification of image size,sharpness correction, gamma correction, contrast correction, and whitebalance correction; frame memory 18 that temporarily stores image data;an input device 19 that includes a release button 2, a communicationbutton, a transmission button, function switches, a cross key 8, aconfirmation switch, a mode changeover switch, or the like; acompression and depression device 20 that performs compression controlof information of image data or the like with a method being representedby JPEG or motion JPEG, and the processing of decompression control ofcompressed data; and a recording medium interface 24 that converts dataso as to record image data in and read image data from a recordingmedium 22 that is detachable. The recording medium 22 is a recordingmedium that is detachable and is represented by a semiconductor, amagnetic recording medium, and an optical recording medium such as amemory card and MO.

Memory 26 comprising ROM, storing operation programs and each constant,and RAM that becomes a work area in program execution is connected tothe data processing device 14.

A wireless communication device of the electronic camera 10 that is usedfor transmitting and receiving image data or the like with externalequipment by communication is composed of a transmission and receptiondevice 28, which transmits or receives image data with superimposing theimage data on a carrier wave by an instruction from the data processingdevice 14, and an antenna 30, which transmits and receives the carrierwave and image data.

In addition, the electronic camera 10 further comprises a D/A converter34 for displaying image data in the display device 32, and a charactergenerator 36 converting code information, instructed from the dataprocessing device 14, into data of characters and messages to bedisplayed.

Photographic processing of the electronic camera 10 composed asdescribed above will be described.

An image to be photographed is formed on an imaging plane of the imagingdevice 12, and a subject image formed is photoelectrically converted andis outputted to the image processing device 16. Regarding the image dataobtained in this manner, in the image processing device 16,amplification and noise reduction processing are executed, and the imagedata is temporarily stored in the frame memory 18. The data processingdevice 14 sequentially transfers the image data, stored in theabove-described frame memory 18, to the D/A converter 34, and makes theimage data displayed in the display device 32.

When the release button 2 provided in the input device 19 is pressed, amode is switched to a mode of photographing a subject. Then, the dataprocessing device 14 outputs an instruction of transferring the imagedata, stored in the frame memory 18, to the compression device 20 andperforming compression processing of the image data under predeterminedconditions. In addition, the data processing device 14 performsprocessing of making the recording medium interface 24 records the imagedata in the sequential recording medium 22. Furthermore, whencommunication with the communication terminal is established and thetransmission button provided in the input device 19 is pressed, the dataprocessing device 14 reads the image data, which is designated, from thesequential recording medium 22, converts the image data into apredetermined data format, and thereafter performs processing oftransmitting the image data to an external communication terminalthrough the transmission and reception device 28 and antenna 30.

FIG. 4 is an outside view of the communication terminal that isconnected equipment.

As shown in FIG. 4, a communication terminal 40 comprises: an antenna 42for performing wireless communication with a public line; a wirelesscommunication device 44 that can connect with connecting equipment bywireless communication; a display device 46 displaying communicationinformation and an image 45; designating devices 48, 48 . . . fordesignating and selecting data of telephone numbers, characters, images,and voice, and output equipment of the data, addresses thereof, or thelike; a speaker 50 that becomes a telephone receiver and outputs voice;and a microphone 52 inputting voice and impact sound.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the communication terminal that isconnected equipment.

According to the drawing, a transmission and reception section of thecommunication terminal 40 comprises: a public line wirelesscommunication device 54 for performing wireless communication with apublic line; a public line transmission and reception device 56; awireless communication device 44 for performing wireless communicationwith connecting equipment; a transmission and reception device 58; and atransmission and reception buffer 60 temporarily storing data to betransmitted and received in real time.

In addition, the communication terminal 40 further comprises: a CPU 62controlling the entire communication terminal 40; PROM 64 where programsoperating the CPU 62, various constants, telephone numbers, destinationaddresses, information about appearance and product names of connectingequipment to be connected by wireless, or the like are written; RAM 66that is a memory device that becomes a work area when the CPU 62executes processing; and an equipment information storage device 68 forstoring information relating to the appearance and product names ofconnecting equipment to be connected by wireless.

The CPU 62 in the communication terminal 40 and each peripheral circuit,including the display device 46, and a designating device 48, areconnected with a communication device such as a bus line or I/O, andhence CPU 62 can control each peripheral circuit.

A communication device of the wireless communication device 44 is acommunication device using an electric wave, an ultrasonic wave, orlight like an infrared ray. It can be performed to be based onspecifications of “Bluetooth” or a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), towhich attention is paid, if the electric wave is used, and it can bedone to be based on specifications of IrDA if the infrared ray is used.

In addition, although an example by using an electronic camera isdescribed as connecting equipment in the above description, theconnecting equipment can be a personal computer, a camera, a printer, orthe like so long as the connecting equipment is the equipment includinga display device, a memory device, and an output device. Furthermore,the communication terminal can be mobile communication terminal such asa cellular phone, or PHS which is generally used, or can be equipmentsuch as an electronic camera or a printer.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the configuration of a peripheral unit whentransmitting and receiving appearance and a unit name of connectingequipment using a communication terminal apparatus and a communicationmethod thereof.

Images, which are photographed by the electronic cameras 10, 10A shownin the figure, images 78, 78, . . . , thumb nail images 79, 79, . . . ,which are stored in a server 74, outside views 80 of the connectingequipment, and data and information about voice and characters aretransmitted by wireless or wired communication to communicationterminals 40, 40A. The communication terminal 40 and server 74 startscommunication through a public line 76, and transmits images 78, 78, . .. , thumb nail images 79, 79, . . . , voice, characters, outside views80 of the connecting equipment, and information about product names,which are prepared in the electronic camera 10A or server 74, to thecommunication terminal 40. The communication terminal 40 that receivesimages 78, 78, . . . , thumb nail images 79, 79, . . . , voice,characters, outside views 80 of the connecting equipment, and data aboutproduct names informs a user by displaying the contents, which aretransmitted, in the display device 46. When the user selects anddesignates equipment to be connected by using the designating devices48, 48, . . . , the communication terminal 40 hereafter establishescommunication with designated connecting equipment.

In addition, the connecting equipment includes a display device, a storedevice, and an output device, and a personal computer, a camera, aprinter corresponds to the connecting equipment.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a program when the electronic camera 10 andcommunication terminal 40 establish communication.

When a release button provided in the input device 19 of the electroniccamera 10 is pressed, the program in the electronic camera 10 branchesto step S800 “START” (hereinafter, this is expressed as S800 for short).In the next step S802 “Start search mode,” the data processing device 14activates the transmission and reception device 28, transmits a radiowave including a search signal from the antenna 30, and startsprocessing of searching for the communication terminal 40.

If the communication terminal 40 receives the search signal outputtedfrom the electronic camera 10, the communication terminal 40 recognizesthe electronic camera 10 that newly joins a communication network,assigns a unique address, and starts processing for performing aconnection handshake.

In step S804 “Product name requested?”, the electronic camera 10performs processing of waiting for coming of a transmission request ofattributes such as a product name of the electronic camera 10 bywireless communication transmission from the communication terminal 40.If “Product name request” does not come, the program loops step S804,and if “Product name request” comes, the program goes to the next stepS806 “Transmit product name,” and the electronic camera 10 transmits aproduct name of the electronic camera 10.

In the next step S808 “Connection approval received?”, the electroniccamera 10 performs processing of waiting for “Connection approval” withthe electronic camera 10 that comes by wireless from the communicationterminal 40. If “Connection approval” does not come, the program loopsstep S808, and if “Connection approval” comes, the program goes to thenext step S810 “Authentication procedure” to perform communicationrelating to the authentication procedure. Further, in step S812 “END,”the program completes connection processing with the communicationterminal 40, and establish communication to return to an originalprogram routine.

On the other hand, if a communicate mode is set by using the designatingdevice 48 in a processing program of the communication terminal 40, theprocessing program of the communication terminal 40 branches step S820“START.” In the next step S822 “Start search mode,” the CPU 62 activatesthe transmission and reception device 58 to transmit a radio wave fromthe wireless communication device 44, and start processing of searchingconnecting equipment.

In order to establish communication, the communication terminal 40recognizes the electronic camera 10, which newly joins the wirelesscommunication network, to assign a unique address, and starts processingof performing a connection handshake.

In step S824 “Transmit product name request,” the communication terminal40 requests the electronic camera 10 to transmit attributes such as aproduct name by wireless. Furthermore, in the next step S826 “Productname received?”, the communication terminal 40 performs processing ofwaiting for the reception of information about the product name of theelectronic camera 10 transmitted from the electronic camera 10. If“Product name reception” is not performed, the program loops step S824.Further, if “Product name reception” is performed, an outside drawingand a product name of the connecting equipment corresponding to theproduct name of the connecting equipment received are not stored in theequipment information storage device 68, and it is connecting equipmentnewly connected, the program goes to the next step S828 “Connect toserver from product name,” and the communication terminal 40 transmitsthe product name of the electronic camera 10 to the server through apublic line. In addition, if the product name received is already storedin the equipment information storage device 68, the program branchesstep S832 “Display product name and appearance.”

In the next step S830 “Obtain product appearance information fromserver,” the communication terminal 40 receives information about theimage, showing appearance, and the name of the electronic camera 10 fromserver to perform processing of storing the information in the equipmentinformation storage device 68. When the reception of the information iscompleted, the program goes to the next step S832 “Display product nameand appearance” to display the connecting equipment information, storedin the equipment information storage device 68, in the display device46.

FIG. 8 shows the connecting equipment information displayed in thedisplay device 46 of the communication terminal 40.

According to the drawing, in the display device 46, battery availablecapacity display 82 showing the available capacity of the battery whichis a power supply of the communication terminal 40, reception radiofield intensity display 84 displaying reception radio field intensity ofradio transmission, appearance display 86, 86, . . . , of the connectingequipment, and a pointer 88 at the time of selecting the connectingequipment are displayed.

In the next step S834 “<key pressed?”, it is judged whether a “<key”provided in the designating device 48 is pressed. If the “<key” ispressed, the program goes to step S836 “Roll up display” to move apointer 88, displayed in the display device 46, to the appearancedisplay 86 of the connecting equipment that is upper in one line.Further, when the pointer 88 is completely moved, the program goes tostep S842 “Setting key pressed?.”

If it is judged that the “<key” is not pressed in step S834, the programgoes to the next step S838 “=key pressed?”, here, it is judged whether a“=key” provided in the designating device 48 is pressed. If the “=key”is pressed, the program goes to step S840 “Roll down display” to move apointer 88, displayed in the display device 46, to the appearancedisplay 86 of the connecting equipment that is lower in one line, andspecifies the connecting equipment. Further, when the pointer 88completely moves, the program goes to step S842 “Setting key pressed?”.

In step S842, it is judged whether a “Setting key” provided in thedesignating device 48 is pressed. In step S842, if it is judged that the“Setting key” is not pressed, the program branches the former step S834“<key presses?”. If the “Setting key” is pressed, the program goes tostep S844 “Set connecting equipment” to set constants, flags, andparameters relating to a model of connecting equipment.

In the next step S846 “Transmit connection approval,” the communicationterminal 40 transmits an enabling signal of communication connection tothe electronic camera 10. After that, the electronic camera 10 andcommunication terminal 40 communicate with each other to establish ahandshake in step S848 “Authentication procedure.”

When the above-described authentication procedure is finished, theprogram completes connection processing with the electronic camera 10 instep S850 “END” to return to an original program routine.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a program when the electronic camera 10 andcommunication terminal 40 establish communication.

When the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 come withina communication range mutually, each equipment recognizes this, and theprogram of the electronic camera 10 branches step S100 “START.” In thenext step S102 “Start search mode,” the data processing device 14transmits a radio wave including a search signal from the antenna 30 bya command, and starts processing of searching for the communicationterminal 40.

If the electronic camera 10 receives the search signal outputted fromthe communication terminal 40 in step S104 “Is connectable equipmentpresent?”, so as to establish communication, the electronic camera 10receives a unique address from the communication terminal 40, newlyjoins a communication network, and starts processing for performing aconnection handshake. At this time, it can be also performed that a userselects and designates desired equipment from in this display bydisplaying a communicating state and information such as equipment namesof partner's connecting equipment and communication terminal in thedisplay device 32.

In the next step S106 “Connection acknowledgement received?”, theelectronic camera 10 performs processing of waiting for a “Connectionacknowledgement” signal with the electronic camera 10 that comes bywireless from the communication terminal 40. If “Connectionacknowledgement” is not transmitted, the program loops step S106, and if“Connection acknowledgement” is transmitted, the program goes to thenext decision step S108 “⇑ key pressed?”.

In the next step S108 “⇑ key pressed?”, it is judged whether “⇑ key” ofa cross key 8 provided in the input device 19 of the electronic camera10 is pressed. If it is judged that the “⇑ key” is not pressed, theprogram goes to step S110 “Respond to no keying” to return a command,showing that the “⇑ key” is not pressed, to the communication terminal40. Then, the program goes to step S118 “END.”

In addition, if it is judged in step S108 that the “⇑ key” is pressed,the program goes to step S112 “Respond to keying” to return a command,showing that the “⇑ key” is pressed, to the communication terminal 40.Further, in the next S114 “Connection approval received?”, if theelectronic camera 10 does not receive “Connection approval” from thecommunication terminal 40, the program performs loop processing ofreturning to step S114 again. Further, if the electronic camera 10receives “Connection approval” from the communication terminal 40, theprogram goes to the next step S116 “Authentication procedure” to performcommunication relating to authentication procedure. Furthermore, in stepS118 “END,” the program completes connection processing with thecommunication terminal 40, and returns to an original program routine.

On the other hand, in a processing program of the communication terminal40, when the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 comewithin a communication range mutually, each equipment recognizes this,and the program of the communication terminal 40 branches step S120“START.” In the next step S122 “Start search mode,” the CPU 62 transmitsa radio wave including a search signal from the wireless communicationdevice 44, and starts processing of searching for connection terminal.At this time, it can be performed that a user selects and designates adesired communications partner from in this display by displayinginformation such as an equipment name of the electronic camera 10, whichis communicating, and information such as names of other connectingequipment communicably existing within a communication range.

If the communication terminal 40 receives the search signal outputtedfrom the electronic camera 10 in step S124 “Is connectable equipmentpresent,” so as to establish communication, the communication terminal40 recognizes the communication terminal 40 that newly joins acommunication network, assigns a unique address, and starts processingfor performing a connection handshake.

In the next step S126 “⇑ key pressed?”, it is judged whether “⇑ key” ofa cross key 8 provided in the designating device 48 is pressed. If the“⇑ key” is not pressed, the program loops step S126, and if the “⇑ key”is pressed, the program goes to the next step S128 “Transmit connectionacknowledgement.”

In the next step S128, the communication terminal 40 transmits a command“Connection acknowledgement,” showing the establishment ofcommunication, to the electronic camera 10 by wireless, and the programgoes to the next step S130 “Response to keying received?”. In step S130,it is judged whether the “⇑ key” of the communication terminal 40 andthe “⇑ key” of the electronic camera 10 are pressed simultaneously. Theelectronic camera 10 transmits a command, showing that the “⇑ key” isnot pressed, in step S110 “Respond to no keying,” and if thecommunication terminal 40 receives this, the program branches from stepS130 to step S136 “END” to finish this subroutine.

In addition, the electronic camera 10 transmits a command, showing thatthe “⇑key” is pressed, in step S112 “Respond to keying,” and if thecommunication terminal 40 receives this, the program branches from stepS130 to step S132 “Transmit connection approval.” In the next step S132“Transmit connection approval,” the communication terminal 40 transmitsan enabling signal of communication connection to the electronic camera10. After that, the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40communicate with each other to establish each authentication in stepS134 “Authentication procedure.”

When the above-described authentication procedure is finished, theprogram completes connection processing with the electronic camera 10 instep S136 “END” to return to an original program routine.

As described above, the communication terminal 40 transmits an inquiryof whether the key is pressed to connecting equipment existing within aconnection range by wireless communication by pressing the “⇑ key” ofthe cross key, provided in the communication terminal 40, and “⇑ key” ofthe cross key 8 provided in the electronic camera 10 simultaneously. Ifthe communication terminal 40 receives from the connecting equipmentsuch a response that the key is pressed, both equipment recognize eachother by performing the procedure of mutual authentication, and canestablish communication. In addition, a key to be operated is notlimited to the “⇑ key,” but it can be made a command for executing themutual authentication to press different keys so long as the keys areone or more predetermined operation keys.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing another embodiment when the electroniccamera 10 and communication terminal 40 establish communication.

When the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 come withina communication range mutually, each equipment recognizes this, and theprogram of the electronic camera 10 branches step S200 “START.” In thenext step S202 “Start key setting,” the program starts processing ofsetting the sequence of pressing keys corresponding to ID used for auser designating connecting equipment and the program establishingcommunication. At this time, it can be performed that a user selects anddesignates a desired item from among setting purposes, setting methods,and procedure by displaying them in the display device 32.

In step S204 “Key pressed?”, it is judged whether any key provided inthe input device 19 is pressed. If any key is not pressed, the programgoes to step S208 “Key setting completed?”. If any key is pressed, theprogram goes to step S206 “Store key sequence” to store the sequence ofthe key newly inputted, and goes to the next step S208.

In step S208, it is judged whether the setting of the sequence ofpressing keys is finished. As a criterion of whether the setting of thesequence of pressing keys is finished, it can be also judged whether akey is pressed predetermined times, or it can be judged whether a finishof key setting is designated by timeout or a predetermined confirmationkey being pressed. If it is judged that the key setting is finished, theprogram goes to step S210 “Start search mode,” and if the key setting isnot finished, the program branches step S204 to wait for the next keybeing pressed.

In next step S210, the data processing device 14 makes a radio wave,including a search signal, transmitted from the antenna 30 by a command,and the processing of searching for the communication terminal 40 isstarted. If the electronic camera 10 receives the search signaloutputted from the communication terminal 40 in the next step S212 “Isconnectable equipment present?”, so as to establish communication, theelectronic camera 10 receives a unique address from the communicationterminal 40, newly joins a communication network, and starts processingfor performing a connection handshake. At this time, it can be alsoperformed that a user selects and designates desired equipment from inthis display by displaying a communicating state and information such asequipment names of partner's connecting equipment and communicationterminal in the display device 32.

In the next step S214 “Key sequence received?”, the processing ofwaiting for the transmission of the information of the key sequence thata user inputted with the designating device 48 of the communicationterminal 40 is performed. When the key sequence is received, the programgoes to the next step S216 “Sequence coincides?”.

In step S216, the data processing device 14 compares the sequence ofkeys inputted in the electronic camera 10 to the key sequence receivedfrom the communication terminal 40. If both key sequence do not coincidewith each other, the program branches step S218 “Respond to discrepancy”to transmit a command, showing that the sequence of pressing keys isdifferent, to the communication terminal 40, and goes to step S226“END.” If both key sequence coincide with each other in step S216, theprogram goes to step S220 “Respond to coincidence” to transmit acommand, showing that both key sequence coincide with each other, to thecommunication terminal 40, and goes to step S222 “Connection approvalreceived?”.

In step S222, the electronic camera 10 performs processing of waitingfor “Connection approval” signal with the electronic camera 10 thatcomes by wireless from the communication terminal 40. If “Connectionapproval” does not come, the program loops step S222, and if “Connectionapproval” comes, the program goes to the next step S224 “Authenticationprocedure” to perform communication relating to the authenticationprocedure. Further, in step S226 “END,” the program completes connectionprocessing with the communication terminal 40, and returns to anoriginal program routine.

On the other hand, in a processing program of the communication terminal40, when the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 comewithin a communication range mutually, each equipment recognizes this,and the program of the electronic camera 10 branches step S230 “START.”In the next step S232 “Start search mode,” the CPU 62 activates thetransmission and reception device 58, transmits a radio wave including asearch signal from the wireless communication device 44, and starts theprocessing of searching for connecting equipment. If the communicationterminal 40 receives the search signal outputted from the electroniccamera 10 in the next step S234 “Is connectable equipment present,” soas to establish communication, the communication terminal 40 recognizesthe electronic camera 10 that newly joins a wireless communicationnetwork, assigns a unique address, and starts processing for performingconnection handshake.

In the subsequent steps, the program starts the processing of inputtinginformation corresponding to ID used for a user designating connectingequipment and the program establishing communication. At this time, itcan be performed that a user selects and designates a desired item fromamong setting purposes, setting methods, and procedure by displayingthem in the display device 32.

In step S236 “Key pressed?”, it is judged whether any key provided inthe designating device 48 is pressed. If any key is not pressed, theprogram goes to step S240 “Key setting completed?”. If any key ispressed, the program goes to step S238 “Store key sequence” to store thesequence of the key newly inputted, and goes to the next step S240.

In step S240, it is judged whether the setting of the sequence ofpressing keys is finished. As a criterion of whether the setting of thesequence of pressing keys is finished, it can be also judged whether akey is pressed predetermined times, or it can be judged whether a finishof key setting is designated by timeout or a predetermined confirmationkey being pressed. If it is judged that the key setting is finished, theprogram goes to step S242 “Transmit key sequence,” and if the keysetting is not finished, the program branches step S236 to wait for thenext key being pressed.

In step S242, the program executes the processing of transmitting thekey sequence inputted to the electronic camera 10 that is connectingequipment, and goes to the next step S244 “Coincidence responsereceived?”. In step S244, the program performs the processing ofreceiving and judging a judgment result of the key sequence transmittedto the electronic camera 10, and changing a branching destination in theprocessing in the communication terminal 40. If contents of the commandreceived are “Discrepancy,” the program branches step S250 “END,” and ifthe contents of the command received is “Coincidence,” the program goesto the next step S246 “Transmit connection approval.”

In the next step S246 “Transmit connection approval,” the communicationterminal 40 transmits an allowance signal of communication connection tothe electronic camera 10. After that, the electronic camera 10 andcommunication terminal 40 communicate with each other to establish eachauthentication in step S248 “Authentication procedure.”

When the above-described authentication procedure is finished, theprogram completes connection processing with the electronic camera 10 instep S250 “END” to return to an original program routine.

As described above, a user presses keys, provided in the communicationterminal 40, in the key sequence set in the electronic camera 10beforehand, and transmits information of this key sequence to theelectronic camera 10. The electronic camera 10 responds about a judgmentresult of whether this key sequence coincides with the sequence setbeforehand. If the communication terminal 40 receives this informationand both sequence coincide with each other, it is possible to recognizeeach other and to establish communication. In addition, it can beperformed that the key sequence is set to be easy to remember likepressing of the cross key in the order of “⇑, →, ⇓, ←.” In addition, akey to be operated is not limited to a specific key, but it can be madea command for executing the mutual authentication to press differentkeys so long as the keys are one or more predetermined operation keys.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing another embodiment when the electroniccamera 10 and communication terminal 40 establish communication.

When the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 come withina communication range mutually, each equipment recognizes this, and theprogram of the electronic camera 10 branches step S300 “START.” In thenext step S302 “Start search mode,” commands of the data processingdevice 14 makes the antenna 30 transmit a radio wave including a searchsignal, and makes the processing of searching for the communicationterminal 40 started.

If the electronic camera 10 receives the search signal outputted fromthe communication terminal 40 in step S304 “Is connectable equipmentpresent?”, so as to establish communication, the electronic camera 10receives a unique address from the communication terminal 40, newlyjoins a communication network, and starts processing for performingconnection handshake. At this time, it can be also performed that a userselects and designates desired equipment from in this display bydisplaying a communicating state and identification information such asequipment names of partner's connecting equipment and communicationterminal in the display device 32.

In step S306 “Connection acknowledgement received?”, the electroniccamera 10 performs the processing of waiting for a “Connectionacknowledgement” signal with the electronic camera 10 that comes bywireless from the communication terminal 40. If the “Connectionacknowledgement” is not transmitted, the program returns to step S306again, and loops step S306. If the “Connection acknowledgement” istransmitted, the program goes to the next step S308 “Sound buzzer” tosound a buzzer in constant intervals to the communication terminal 40.If the connecting equipment is the electronic camera 10, the programinforms the communication terminal 40 by sounding a buzzer 13 used forself-timer or the like.

In step S310 “Buzzer acknowledged?”, the program performs the processingof waiting for receiving “Buzzer acknowledgement” information showingthat the communication terminal 40 receives buzzer sound given by theelectronic camera 10. If the “Buzzer acknowledgement” is not received,the program returns to step S310 again, and performs loop processing. Ifthe “Buzzer acknowledgement” is received, the program goes to step S312“Respond to buzzer” to transmit “Respond to buzzer,” showing that theelectronic camera 10 receives “Buzzer acknowledgement,” to thecommunication terminal 40.

Further, in the next step S314 “Connection approval received?”, if theelectronic camera 10 does not receive “Connection approval” from thecommunication terminal 40, the program returns to step S314 again, andloops step S314. If the electronic camera 10 receives “Connectionapproval” from the communication terminal 40, the program goes to thenext step S316 “Authentication procedure” to perform communicationrelating to authentication procedure. Furthermore, in step S318 “END,”the program completes communicative connection processing with thecommunication terminal 40, and returns to an original program routine.

On the other hand, in a processing program of the communication terminal40, when the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 comewithin a communication range mutually, each equipment recognizes this,and the program of the communication terminal 40 branches step S320“START.” In the next step S322 “Start search mode,” the CPU 62 transmitsa radio wave including a search signal from the wireless communicationdevice 44, and starts processing of searching for communicationterminal. At this time, it can be performed that a user selects anddesignates desired equipment from in this display by displayinginformation such as an equipment name of the electronic camera 10, whichis communicating, and information such as names of other connectingequipment communicably existing within the communication range.

If the communication terminal 40 receives the search signal outputtedfrom the electronic camera 10 in step S324 “Is connectable equipmentpresent,” so as to establish communication, the communication terminal40 recognizes the communication terminal 40 that newly joins acommunication network, assigns a unique address, and starts processingfor performing connection handshake.

In step S326 “Start key pressed?”, it is judged whether a start keyprovided in the designating device 48 is pressed. As this start key, adedicated start key or “⇑ key” of the cross key 8 can be assigned. Ifthe “start key” is not pressed, the program returns to step S326 andloops step S326, and if the “start key” is pressed, the program goes tothe next step S328 “Transmit connection acknowledgement.”

In the next step S328, the communication terminal 40 transmits a command“Connection acknowledgement,” showing the establishment ofcommunication, to the electronic camera 10 by wireless, and the programgoes to the next step S330 “Buzzer sound detected?”. If thecommunication terminal 40 does not detect the buzzer sound given by theelectronic camera 10 in step S330, the program returns to step S330again and loops step S330. If the communication terminal 40 detects thebuzzer sound given by the electronic camera 10 in step S330, the programgoes to step S332 “Transmit buzzer acknowledgement” to transmitinformation, showing reception of buzzer sound, to the electronic camera10. Then, the program goes to the next step S334 “Buzzer responsereceived?”.

In step S334, if the communication terminal 40 receives “Respond tobuzzer” information, which the electronic camera 10 transmits in stepS312, and does not receive “Respond to buzzer,” the program branchesstep S340 “END.”If the communication terminal 40 receives “Respond tobuzzer,” the program goes to the next step S336 “Transmit connectionapproval.”

In the next step S336 “Transmit connection approval,” the communicationterminal 40 transmits an enabling signal of communication connection tothe electronic camera 10. After that, the electronic camera 10 andcommunication terminal 40 communicate with each other to establish eachauthentication in step S338 “Authentication procedure.”

When the above-described authentication procedure is finished, theprogram completes connection processing with the electronic camera 10 instep S340 “END” to return to an original program routine.

As described above, when a user selects desired connecting equipmentfrom among information of connecting equipment displayed in thecommunication terminal 40, the connecting equipment selected givesbuzzer sound. A microphone 52 of the communication terminal 40 detectsthis buzzer sound, and the communication terminal 40 inquires ofequipment, existing in the communicative connection range by wirelesscommunication, whether the equipment sounds a buzzer. If thecommunication terminal 40 receives the response of sounding a buzzer, itis possible to execute mutual authentication and to establishcommunication. In addition, if the buzzer sound is given from aplurality of connecting equipment, it can be performed to establishcommunication only with connecting equipment can access thecommunication terminal 40.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing another embodiment when the electroniccamera 10 and communication terminal 40 establish communication.

When the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 come withina communication range mutually, each equipment recognizes this, and theprogram of the electronic camera 10 branches step S400 “START.” In thenext step S402 “Start search mode,” commands of the data processingdevice 14 makes the antenna 30 transmit a radio wave including a searchsignal, and makes the processing of searching for the communicationterminal 40 started.

Then, the program goes to the next step S404 “Set mode instrobe-inhibition, macro position, and movie-through,” and goes to stepS406 “Connection acknowledgement figure?” after setting an operationmode of the electronic camera 10. In the next step S406, a userphotographs “connection acknowledgement figures” displayed in thedisplay device 46 of communication terminal 40 with the electroniccamera 10. The electronic camera 10 photographs display patterns and aflash condition of display to recognize the communication terminal 40.

If the “connection acknowledgement figure” is recognized in step S406,the program goes to the next step S408 “Stop movie-through mode” to stopthe movie-through mode set at the above-described S404. Then, in, stepS410 “Transmit figure acknowledgement,” the electronic camera 10transmits information, showing that a drawing displayed in the displaydevice 46 is acknowledged, to the communication terminal 40, and theprogram goes to the next S412 “Connection approval received?”.

In the next step S412 “Connection approval received?”, if the electroniccamera 10 does not receive “connection approval” from the communicationterminal 40, the program returns to step S412 again and loops step S412.If the electronic camera 10 receives the “connection approval” from thecommunication terminal 40, the program goes to the next step S414“Authentication procedure” to perform communication relating toauthentication procedure. Further, in step S416 “END,” the programcompletes communication connection processing with the communicationterminal 40, and returns to an original program routine.

On the other hand, in a processing program of the communication terminal40, when the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 comewithin a communication range mutually, each equipment recognizes this,and the program of the communication terminal 40 branches step S420“START.” In the next step S422 “Start search mode,” the CPU 62 transmitsa radio wave including a search signal from the wireless communicationdevice 44, and starts processing of searching for connecting equipment.At this time, it can be performed that a user selects and designatesdesired equipment from in this display by displaying information such asan equipment name of the electronic camera 10, which is communicating,and information such as names of other connecting equipment communicablyexisting within a communication range.

After completion of searching the connecting equipment, the program goesto the next step S424 “Display connection acknowledgement figure” todisplay predetermined display patterns in the display device 46, andgoes to the next step S426 “Acknowledgement detected?”. In step S426,the program performs the processing of waiting for a “figureacknowledgement” signal transmitted from the electronic camera 10. Ifthe “figure acknowledgement” is not received at step S426, the programreturns to step S426 and loops step S426 again, and if the “figureacknowledgement” is received, the program goes to the next step S428“Transmit connection approval.”

In the next step S428, the communication terminal 40 transmits anenabling signal of communication connection to the electronic camera 10.After that, the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40communicate with each other to establish each authentication in stepS430 “Authentication procedure.”

When the above-described authentication procedure is finished, theprogram completes connection processing with the electronic camera 10 instep S432 “END” to return to an original program routine.

FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a state of taking a photograph of“acknowledgement figures,” displayed on the display device 46 of thecommunication terminal 40, with the electronic camera 10.

As shown in the figure, by automatically setting a mode of theelectronic camera 10 at an acknowledgement mode and recognizing“acknowledgement figures” displayed in the display device 46 of thecommunication terminal 40, it becomes possible to execute the procedureof mutual authentication and to establish communication. Theacknowledgement figures can be character patterns or graphic patterns.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing another embodiment when the electroniccamera 10 and communication terminal 40 establish communication as shownin FIG. 12. Although an acknowledgement method of connection shown inFIG. 12 is a method using “diagram recognition,” an acknowledgementmethod of connection shown in FIG. 14 is a method using “flashing periodrecognition.”

Description of the flow chart in the figure will be performed only aboutportions different from those in FIG. 12, and portions that are the sameprocessing will be omitted.

Difference of this method from the processing program of the electroniccamera 10 shown in FIG. 12 is that the electronic camera 10 photographs“flashing display for connection acknowledgement,” displayed in thedisplay device 46 in step S407 “Flashing period for acknowledgement?”,and recognizes a flashing period instead of photographing displaypatterns or a flashing state of display displayed in the display device46 and recognizing the communication terminal 40, which is executed instep S406 “Connection acknowledgement figure?” in FIG. 12. Thesubsequent processing is performed similarly to the processing shown inFIG. 12.

Difference of this method from the processing program of thecommunication terminal 40 shown in FIG. 12 is that display is blinked ina predetermined period in step S425 “Display connection acknowledgementflashing” and that the processing of stopping the display, havingflashed in step S425, in step S427 “Stop flashing” in connection withacknowledgement detection in step S426 instead of displaying the“connection acknowledgement figures” in step S424 “Display connectionacknowledgement figure” in FIG. 9.

By recognizing the flashing period displayed in the above-describeddisplay device 46, it becomes possible to execute the procedure ofmutual authentication and to establish communication. Theacknowledgement flashing display can be character patterns or graphicpatterns.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing another embodiment when the electroniccamera 10 and communication terminal 40 establish communication.

When the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 come withina communication range mutually, each equipment recognizes this, and theprogram of the electronic camera 10 branches step S500 “START.” In thenext step S502 “Start search mode,” commands of the data processingdevice 14 makes the antenna 30 transmit a radio wave including a searchsignal, and makes the processing of searching for the communicationterminal 40 started.

Then, in the next step S504 “Start vibration monitoring,” the processingprogram of the electronic camera 10 enables the vibration detectiondevice 15 and starts the processing of monitoring vibration dataoutputted from the vibration detection device 15. In the next step S506“Shock detected?”, the program sequentially monitors vibration dataoutputted from the vibration detection device 15 and judges whether ashock, which arises when the communication terminal 40 contacts with theelectronic camera 10, is detected as vibration. If the shock is notdetected, the program returns to step S506 again and loops step S506. Ifthe shock is detected, the program goes to the next step S508 “Stopvibration monitoring” to disable the vibration detection device 15, andstops monitoring of vibration data.

In the next step S510 “Transmit shock acknowledgement,” the programperforms the processing of transmitting “shock acknowledgement”information, showing the shock detection, to the communication terminal40 to go to the next step S512 “Connection approval received?”.

In the next step S512 “Connection approval received?”, if the electroniccamera 10 does not receive “connection approval” from the communicationterminal 40, the program returns to step S512 again and loops step S512.If the electronic camera 10 receives the “connection approval” from thecommunication terminal 40, the program goes to the next step S514“Authentication procedure” to perform communication relating to theauthentication procedure. Further, in step S516 “END,” the programcompletes communication connection processing with the communicationterminal 40, and returns to an original program routine.

On the other hand, in a processing program of the communication terminal40, when the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 comewithin a communication range mutually, each equipment recognizes this,and the program of the communication terminal 40 branches step S520“START.” In the next step S522 “Start search mode,” the CPU 62 transmitsa radio wave including a search signal from the wireless communicationdevice 44, and starts processing of searching for communicationterminal. At this time, it can be performed that a user selects desiredequipment from in this display by displaying information such as anequipment name of the electronic camera 10, which is communicating, andinformation such as names of other connecting equipment communicablyexisting within a communication range.

When the search of connecting equipment is finished, the program goes tothe next step S524 “Monitor microphone input” to start the processing ofsequentially monitoring impact sound inputted from the microphone 52.Then, the program goes to the next step S526 “Impact sound detected?” tojudges whether the impact sound having a predetermined frequency orvolume is detected. If it is judged that the impact sound is notdetected by the microphone 52, the program returns to step S526 againand loops step S526. If it is judged that the impact sound is detectedby the microphone 52, the program goes to step S528 “Shockacknowledgement detected?”.

In the next step S528 “Shock acknowledgement detected?”, it is judgedwhether “Shock acknowledgement” is transmitted from the electroniccamera 10. If it is judged that the “Shock acknowledgement” is nottransmitted from the electronic camera 10, the program returns to stepS528 again and loops step S528. If it is judged that the “Shockacknowledgement” is transmitted, the program goes to step S530 “Transmitconnection approval.”

In the next step S530, the communication terminal 40 transmits anenabling signal of communication connection to the electronic camera 10.After that, the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40communicate with each other to establish each authentication in stepS532 “Authentication procedure.”

When the above-described authentication procedure is finished, theprogram completes connection processing with the electronic camera 10 instep S534 “END” to return to an original program routine.

As described above, by automatically setting the electronic camera 10 ina shock acknowledgement mode and contacting the electronic camera 10with the communication terminal 40 lightly in extent of generatingcontact sound, the communication terminal 40 can detect the contactsound with the microphone 52. Also, the electronic camera 10 can detectshock by the contact with the vibration detection device 15 and executesmutual authentication to establish communication. In addition, as thecontact detection device, a sensor for shake detection in taking aphotography can be used, the detection of a change of conductivity and achange of capacitance can be used, and the detection of a change ofdistance between the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40by using an automatic focus device can be used.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing another embodiment when the electroniccamera 10 and communication terminal 40 establish communication.

When the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 come withina communication range mutually, each equipment recognizes this, and theprogram of the electronic camera 10 branches step S600 “START.” In thenext step S602 “Start search mode,” commands of the data processingdevice 14 make the antenna 30 transmit a radio wave including a searchsignal, and make the processing of searching for the communicationterminal 40 started. If the electronic camera 10 receives the searchsignal outputted from the communication terminal 40, so as to establishcommunication, the electronic camera 10 receives a unique address fromthe communication terminal 40, newly joins a communication network, andstarts processing for performing connection handshake. At this time, itcan be also performed that a user selects and designates a desiredcommunication partner from in the following display by displaying acommunicating state and information such as equipment names of partner'sconnecting equipment and communication terminal 40 in the display device32.

In step S604 “Product name request,” the electronic camera 10 performsthe processing of waiting for coming of a send request of attributessuch as a product name of the electronic camera 10 by wireless from thecommunication terminal 40. If “Product name request” does not come, theprogram branches step S604 again and loops step S604, and if “Productname request” comes, the program goes to the next step S606 “Transmitproduct name,” and the electronic camera 10 transmits a product name ofthe electronic camera 10.

In the next step S608 “Connection approval received?”, the programperforms the processing of waiting for “Connection approval” with theelectronic camera 10 that comes by wireless from the communicationterminal 40. If “Connection approval” does not come, the programbranches step S608 again and loops step S608, and if “Connectionapproval” comes, the program goes to the next step S610 “Authenticationprocedure” to perform communication relating to the authenticationprocedure. Further, in step S612 “END,” the program completes connectionprocessing with the communication terminal 40, and returns to anoriginal program routine.

On the other hand, in a processing program of the communication terminal40, when the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 comewithin a communication range mutually, each equipment recognizes this,and the program of the communication terminal 40 branches step S620“START.” In the next step S622 “Start search mode,” the CPU 62 transmitsa radio wave including a search signal from the wireless communicationdevice 44, and starts processing of searching for communicationterminal. At this time, it can be performed that a user selects anddesignates desired equipment from in this display by displayinginformation such as an equipment name of the electronic camera 10, whichis communicating, and information such as names of other connectingequipment communicably existing within the communication range.

In step S624 “Transmit product name request,” the communication terminal40 requests the electronic camera 10 to transmit attributes such as aproduct name by wireless. Furthermore, in the next step S626 “Productname received?”, the communication terminal 40 performs processing ofwaiting for the reception of information about the product name of theelectronic camera 10 transmitted from the electronic camera 10. If the“product name” is not received, the program branches step S626 again,and performs loop processing. If the “product name” is received, theprogram goes to step S628 “Display product name.”

In the next S628 “Display product name,” the program displaysidentification information such as appearance and names of connectingequipment, which are stored in the PROM 64, in the display device 46.

FIG. 17 is a drawing showing the display 45 of identificationinformation of connecting equipment that is displayed on the displaydevice 46 of the communication terminal 40.

According to the drawing, in the display device 46 of the communicationterminal 40, battery available capacity display 82 showing the availablecapacity of the battery which is a power supply of the communicationterminal 40, reception radio field intensity display 84 displayingreception radio field intensity of wireless transmission, name display86, 86, . . . , of connecting equipment, and reversed display 88 at thetime of selecting the electronic camera 10 that is the connectingequipment are displayed.

In the next step S630 “⇑ key pressed?”, it is judged whether “⇑ key”provided in the designating device 48 is pressed. If “⇑ key” is pressed,the program goes to step S632 “Roll up display” to move the reverseddisplay 88, displayed in the display device 46, to the name display 86of the connecting equipment that is upper in one line. Further, when thereversed display 88 completely moves, the program goes to step S638“Setting key pressed?”.

If it is judged that “⇑ key” is not pressed in step S630, the programgoes to the next step S634 “⇓ key pressed?”, here, it is judged whether“⇓key” provided in the designating device 48 is pressed. If “⇓ key” ispressed, the program goes to step S636 “Roll down display” to move thereversed display 88, displayed in the display device 46, to the namedisplay 86 of the connecting equipment that is lower in one line, andspecifies the connecting equipment. Further, when the reversed display88 completely moves, the program goes to step S638 “Setting keypressed?”.

In the next step S638, it is judged whether the “setting key” providedin the designating device 48 is pressed. In step S638, if it is judgedthat the “Setting key” is not pressed, the program branches the formerstep S630 “⇑ key presses?”. If the “Setting key” is pressed, the programgoes to step S640 “Set connecting equipment” to set constants, flags,and parameters relating to a model of the connecting equipment.

In the next step S642 “Transmit connection approval,” the communicationterminal 40 transmits an enabling signal of communication connection tothe electronic camera 10. After that, the electronic camera 10 andcommunication terminal 40 communicate with each other to establish eachauthentication in step S644 “Authentication procedure.” Further, thecommunication continues.

When the above-described authentication procedure is finished, theprogram completes connection processing with the electronic camera 10 instep S646 “END” to return to an original program routine.

As described above, when a user sets the electronic camera 10 in anacknowledgement mode and enters into a communication range with thecommunication terminal 40, names of equipment, which are connectable, inthe display device 46 of communication terminal 40. If the user selectsand designates connecting equipment by using the designating device 48such as a cross key, the program can execute the procedure of mutualauthentication to establish communication.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing another embodiment when the electroniccamera 10 and communication terminal 40 establish communication.

The embodiment in FIG. 18 can designate the inhibition of wirelesscommunicative connection by adding an inhibitive connectionrefusal-setting mode to the program in the communication terminal 40shown in FIG. 16. Therefore, the description of the same flow as theflow described in the embodiment in FIG. 16 is omitted, and only thedifferent flow will be described hereafter.

When the authentication procedure between the electronic camera 10 andcommunication terminal 40 is finished in step S644 “Authenticationprocedure,” the program goes to the next step S650 “Refusal settingmode?”.

In step S650, it is judged whether the refusal-setting mode isdesignated from the designating device 48. At this time, it isrecommended to inform a user of setting purposes, setting methods, andprocedure by displaying them in the display device 46. If therefusal-setting mode is not designated in step S650, the program goes tostep S650 again, and performs loop processing. If the refusal settingmode is designated, the program goes to the next step S652 “Startrefusal setting display” to display identification information such asappearance and names of connecting equipment, which are stored in thePROM 64, in the display device 46.

FIG. 19 is a drawing showing the display 45 of identificationinformation of connecting equipment that is displayed on the displaydevice 46 of the communication terminal 40.

According to the drawing, in the display device 46 of the communicationterminal 40, battery available capacity display 82 showing the availablecapacity of the battery which is a power supply of the communicationterminal 40, reception radio field intensity display 84 displayingreception radio field intensity of wireless transmission, name display86, 86, . . . of connecting equipment, reversed display 88 at the timeof selecting the electronic camera 10 that is the connecting equipment,and connection refusal equipment display 90 where names of connectionrefusal equipment are enclosed by frames are displayed.

In the next step S654 “⇑ key pressed?”, it is judged whether “⇑ key”provided in the designating device 48 is pressed. If “⇑ key” is pressed,the program goes to step S656 “Roll up display” to move the connectionrefusal equipment display 90, displayed in the display device 46, to thename display 86 of the connecting equipment that is upper in one line.Further, when the connection refusal equipment display 90 completelymoves, the program goes to step S662 “Setting key pressed?”.

If it is judged that “⇑ key” is not pressed in step S662, the programgoes to the next step S658 “⇓ key pressed?”, here, it is judged whether“⇓ key” provided in the designating device 48 is pressed. If “⇓ key” ispressed, the program goes to step S660 “Roll down display” to move theconnection refusal equipment display 90, displayed in the display device46, to the name display 86 of the connecting equipment that is lower inone line, and specifies the connection refusal equipment. Further, whenthe connection refusal equipment display 90 completely moves, theprogram goes to step S662 “Setting key pressed?”.

In the next step S662, it is judged whether the “setting key” providedin the designating device 48 is pressed. In step S662, if it is judgedthat the “Setting key” is not pressed, the program branches the formerstep S654 “⇑ key presses?”. If the “setting key” is pressed, the programgoes to step S664 “Set refused equipment” to set that the communicationequipment will not connect to the specified connecting equipment, andgoes to the next step S666 “END” to return to the calling programroutine.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing another embodiment when the electroniccamera 10 and communication terminal 40 establish communication.

When the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 come withina communication range mutually, each equipment recognizes this, and theprogram of the electronic camera 10 branches step S700 “START.” In thenext step S702 “Start search mode,” commands of the data processingdevice 14 makes the antenna 30 transmit a radio wave including a searchsignal, and makes the processing of searching for the communicationterminal 40 started.

If the electronic camera 10 receives the search signal outputted fromthe communication terminal 40 in step S704 “Is connectable equipmentpresent?”, so as to establish communication, the electronic camera 10receives a unique address from the communication terminal 40, newlyjoins a communication network, and starts processing for performingconnection handshake. At this time, it can be also performed that a userselects and designates desired equipment from in this display bydisplaying a communicating state and identification information such asequipment names of destination's connecting equipment and communicationterminal in the display device 32.

In the next step S706 “Connection acknowledgement received?”, theelectronic camera 10 performs processing of waiting for a “Connectionacknowledgement” signal with the electronic camera 10 that comes bywireless from the communication terminal 40. If “Connectionacknowledgement” is not transmitted, the program returns to step S706again and loops step S706, and if “Connection acknowledgement” istransmitted, the program goes to the next step S708 “Transmit connectionstart.”

In the next step S708 “Transmit connection start,” the electronic camera10 transmits a request command for performing “Connection start” to thecommunication terminal 40 so as to automatically perform mutualauthentication, and the program goes to step S714 “Connection approvalreceived?”.

In the next step S714 “Connection approval received?”, if the electroniccamera 10 does not receive “Connection approval” from the communicationterminal 40, the program returns to step S714 again and loops step S714.If the electronic camera 10 receives “Connection approval” from thecommunication terminal 40, the program goes to the next step S716“Authentication procedure” to perform communication relating toauthentication procedure. Further, in step S718 “END,” the programcompletes connection processing with the communication terminal 40, andreturns to the calling program routine.

On the other hand, in a processing program of the communication terminal40, when the electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 comewithin a communication range mutually, each equipment recognizes this,and the program of the communication terminal 40 branches step S720“START.” In the next step S722 “Start search mode,” the CPU 62 transmitsa radio wave including a search signal from the wireless communicationdevice 44, and starts processing of searching for communicationterminal. At this time, it can be performed that a user selects anddesignates a desired communications partner from in this display bydisplaying information such as an equipment name of the electroniccamera 10, which is communicating, and information such as names ofother connecting equipment communicably existing within a communicationrange.

If the communication terminal 40 receives the search signal outputtedfrom the electronic camera 10 in step S724 “Is connectable equipmentpresent,” so as to establish communication, the communication terminal40 recognizes the communication terminal 40 that newly joins acommunication network, assigns a unique address, and starts processingfor performing connection handshake.

In the next step S728, the communication terminal 40 transmits a command“Connection acknowledgement,” showing the establishment ofcommunication, to the electronic camera 10 by wireless, and the programgoes to the next step S730 “Connection start received?”. In step S730,the program performs the processing of waiting for the request commandof the “connection start” is transmitted from the communication terminal40. If the electronic camera 10 transmits a command demanding the“connection start” in step S708 “Transmit connection start” and thecommunication terminal 40 receives this, the program goes from step S730to step S732 “Transmit connection approval.”

In the next step S732 “Transmit connection approval,” the communicationterminal 40 transmits an enabling signal of communication connection tothe electronic camera 10. After that, the electronic camera 10 andcommunication terminal 40 communicate with each other to establish eachauthentication in step S734 “Authentication procedure.”

When the above-described authentication procedure is finished, theprogram informs a user of the establishment of communicative connectionby the communication terminal 40 giving dial-in sound from the speaker50 in step S736 “Give dial-in sound.” Then, the program goes to S738“END” to complete connection processing with the electronic camera 10,and returns to the calling program routine.

In the above-described explanation, an example is explained, the examplethat a user is informed of the establishment of communication betweenthe electronic camera 10 and communication terminal 40 by the soundgiven from the speaker 50, but the present invention is not limited tothis. Thus, a user can be also informed by display, lighting of display,flashing, vibration, or the like.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing another embodiment when the electroniccamera 10 and communication terminal 40 establish communication as shownin FIG. 20. If communication is established with the method shown inFIG. 20, the electronic camera 10 retains the authentication code, butaccording to the method shown in FIG. 21, it is possible to set a“one-time mode” after the establishment of communication, and hence thisis characterized in providing the mode of performing one-time mutualauthentication. If such a “one-time mode” is set, this is effective in acase that subsequent communication is unnecessary so long as informationis transferred in one-time connection like commercial information or thelike, and hence it is possible to prevent unnecessarily subsequentconnection processing.

Description of the flow chart in the figure will be performed only aboutportions different from those in FIG. 20, and portions that are the sameprocessing will be omitted.

Difference of this program from the processing program of the electroniccamera 10 shown in FIG. 20 is a portion of setting the one-time modeafter step S734 “Authentication procedure” in FIG. 20. When theauthentication procedure of the electronic camera 10 is finished in stepS734, the program goes to decision step S740 “One-time mode?”. Here, theprogram performs the display of setting the “one-time mode” in thedisplay device 46 of the communication terminal 40, and a user performsthe setting of the “one-time mode” by using the designating device 48.If the setting of the “one-time mode” is performed in step S740, theprogram goes to step S742 “Set mode in authentic code inhibition,”performs the setting of releasing the authentication code after thefirst time communication to go to step S744 “END.” If the setting of the“one-time mode” is not performed in step S740, the program directly goesto step S744 “END,” and completes connection processing with theelectronic camera 10 to return to the calling program routine.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of continuing or releasing the “one-time mode”in the communication terminal 40.

If the setting of continuing or releasing the “one-time mode” isdesignated, the program jumps to step S750 “START.” In the next stepS752 “One-time release mode?”, it is judged whether the designation byuser's input is the “one-time release mode.” If the designation is notthe “one-time release mode,” the program branches step S756 “END.” Ifthe designation is the “one-time release mode,” the program goes to stepS754 “Restore inhibited authentic code” to restore the authentic code,set in step S742 in FIG. 21, and perform the processing of establishingcommunication. Further, the program returns to the calling program.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing another embodiment when the electroniccamera 10 and communication terminal 40 establish communication as shownin FIG. 20. If communication is established with the connection methodshown in FIG. 20, the communication terminal 40 gives dial-in sound andrecognizes connection. Nevertheless, with the connection method shown inFIG. 23, a common key is made user's identification information at thetime of authentication procedure after the first time communicativeconnection, and a unique key is issued at the time of the authenticationprocedure after the second time communicative connection and is madeuser's identification information.

Since the flow of the processing program of the electronic camera 10that is shown in FIG. 23 is the same as the flow shown in FIG. 20,description will be omitted.

Description of the flow chart of the communication terminal 40 in FIG.23 will be performed only about portions different from those in FIG.20, and portions that are the same processing will be omitted. In stepS732 “Transmit connection approval,” if the communication terminal 40transmits “connection approval” to the electronic camera 10, the programgoes to the next decision step S760 “First time connection?”. In stepS760, it is judged whether present connection is the first timeconnection. If the present connection is the first time, the programgoes to step S762 “Perform authentication procedure and issue commonkey” to perform the authentication procedure for the electronic camera10. In addition, the program issues a “common key” to establishcommunicative connection only when the common key is pressed. When theprocessing of step S762 is finished, the program goes to the next stepS764 “END” to return to the calling program routine.

If the present connection is not the first time, the program goes tostep S766 “Second time connection?”. If it is judged that the presentconnection is the second time in step S766, the program goes to stepS768 “Perform authentication procedure and issue inherent key” toperform the authentication procedure for the electronic camera 10.Furthermore, the program issues the “unique key” to establish thecommunicative connection only when the unique key is pressed. When theprocessing of step S768 is finished, the program goes to the next stepS764 “END” to return to the calling program routine.

If it is judged that the present connection is not the second time instep S766 (the present connection is the third time or after), theprogram goes to step S770 “Unique key?” to judge whether the unique keyissued in step S768 is pressed. If the key pressed is not the unique keyissued in step S768, the program goes to step S764 “END” to return tothe calling subroutine. If the key pressed is the unique key issued instep S768, the program goes to step S772 “Authentication procedure,” andperforms the authentication procedure for the electronic camera 10 toestablish communicative connection. When the processing in step S772 isfinished, the programs goes to step S764 “END” to return to the callingprogram routine.

As described above, it becomes possible to easily identify a user byusing the common key and unique key that are issued at the time ofconnection.

As described above, a communication terminal apparatus according to thepresent invention comprises: communication means that can connect with ahost computer; wireless communication means that can connect withconnecting equipment by wireless communication; storage means forstoring image information showing the appearance of the connectingequipment; display means for displaying the appearance of the connectingequipment on the basis of image information showing the appearance ofthe connecting equipment that is stored in the storage means whenwireless communication with the connecting equipment is started; anddesignating means for establishing communication with connectingequipment thereafter which is designated, when the appearance of thedesired connecting equipment that is displayed in the display means isdesignated, in which the communication means receives and stores imageinformation showing the appearance of the connecting equipment from thehost computer if the image information showing the appearance of theconnecting equipment is not stored in the storage means, and hence itbecomes possible for the communication terminal to receive theappearance and product names of all the connecting equipment which areconnected to the communication terminal, to display them in the displaymeans, and to establish communication with designating desiredconnecting equipment.

In addition, another aspect of the present invention is a communicationterminal apparatus, which, when establishing communication with desiredconnecting equipment, executes the steps of: (a) receiving equipmentinformation, showing the connecting equipment, from the connectingequipment; (b) connecting to the host computer on the basis of theequipment information, and receiving image information showing theappearance of the connecting equipment from the host computer; (c)displaying the appearance of the connecting equipment in display meansof the communication terminal apparatus on the basis of the imageinformation which is received or was received and stored beforehand; and(d) establishing communication with connecting equipment, when theappearance of the desired connecting equipment that is displayed in thedisplay means is designated, and hence it becomes possible for thecommunication terminal to receive the appearance and product names ofall the connecting equipment which are connected to the communicationterminal, to display them in the display means, and to establishcommunication with designating desired connecting equipment.

As described above, a connected destination selection method in wirelessLAN according to the present invention comprises the steps of:automatically starting communication when the connected equipment andthe connecting equipment come within a wireless communication range; theconnected equipment receiving identification information that canspecify the connecting equipment from among the connecting equipment;display means of the connected equipment displaying the identificationinformation for identifying connecting equipment; the wireless LANestablishing wireless communication between the connecting equipment andthe connected equipment when desired connecting equipment is designatedfrom among the displayed connecting equipment, and hence it becomespossible to select desired connecting equipment from among a pluralityof connecting equipment existing in a communication range of connectedequipment, and to communicate with the desired connecting equipment.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, depending onpressing of a key, provided in the connecting equipment, and a key,provided in the connected equipment, wireless communication between theconnected equipment and the connecting equipment is established, andhence it becomes possible to select desired connecting equipment fromamong a plurality of connecting equipment existing in a communicationrange of connected equipment, and to communicate with the desiredconnecting equipment.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, if apredetermined key, provided in the connecting equipment, and apredetermined key, provided in the connected equipment, are pressednearly at the same time, wireless connection between the connectedequipment and the connecting equipment is established, and hence itbecomes possible to select desired connecting equipment from among aplurality of connecting equipment existing in a communication range ofconnected equipment, and to communicate with the desired connectingequipment.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, wirelessconnection between the connected equipment and the connecting equipmentis established if a predetermined key, provided in the connectingequipment, and a predetermined key, provided in the connected equipment,are pressed in predetermined sequence, and hence it becomes possible toselect desired connecting equipment from among a plurality of connectingequipment existing in a communication range of connected equipment, andto communicate with the desired connecting equipment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, when the connectedequipment receives sound that is unique to the connecting equipment andis given from the connecting equipment, wireless connection between theconnected equipment and the connecting equipment is established, andhence it becomes possible to select desired connecting equipment fromamong a plurality of connecting equipment existing in a communicationrange of connected equipment, and to communicate with the desiredconnecting equipment.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, theconnecting equipment takes a photograph of expression in display meansof the connected equipment; displayed contents of the connectedequipment are detected; and, wireless connection with the connectedequipment is established if these displayed contents are predetermineddisplayed contents, and hence it becomes possible to select desiredconnecting equipment from among a plurality of connecting equipmentexisting in a communication range of connected equipment, and tocommunicate with the desired connecting equipment.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, if theconnecting equipment and the connected equipment are contacted, theconnected equipment and the connecting equipment recognize each otherand wireless connection between the connected equipment and theconnecting equipment is established, and hence it becomes possible toselect desired connecting equipment from among a plurality of connectingequipment existing in a communication range of connected equipment, andto communicate with the desired connecting equipment.

According to a further aspect of the present invention: wirelessconnection is automatically established when the connected equipment andthe connecting equipment come within a wireless communication range; anda user is informing of the establishment of wireless connection bygiving sound, light, or vibration from the information means provided inthe connected equipment when the wireless connection is established, andhence it becomes possible to easily know that desired connectingequipment is selected from among a plurality of connecting equipmentexisting in a communication range of connected equipment.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention:communication is automatically started when the connected equipment andthe connecting equipment come within a wireless communication range;common key information used for authentication is sent to the connectingequipment if it is the first time connection; wireless connection isestablished by detecting that a common key, provided in the connectingequipment, and a common key, provided in the connected equipment, arepressed; predetermined key information used for authentication is sentto the connecting equipment if it is the second time connection;communication is continued as information for recognizing a user bydetecting that a predetermined key, provided in the connectingequipment, and a predetermined key, provided in the connected equipment,are pressed; the user is recognized and communication is continued bydetecting that a predetermined key, provided in the connectingequipment, and a predetermined key, provided in the connected equipment,are pressed, if it is the third time connection or after, and hence itbecomes possible to select easily desired connecting equipment fromamong a plurality of connecting equipment existing in a communicationrange of connected equipment, and to communicate with the desiredconnecting equipment.

According to another aspect of the present invention: both of connectedequipment and connecting equipment automatically authenticate each otherand wireless connection is established when coming within a wirelesscommunication range; and a user can designate a mode, in which mutualauthentication is limited to the first time one, or another mode, inwhich mutual authentication is performed first two times and more, fromdesignating means provided in the connected equipment, and hence itbecomes possible to select desired connecting equipment from among aplurality of connecting equipment existing in a communication range ofconnected equipment, and to prevent unnecessary communication.

It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limitthe invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, theinvention is to cover all modifications, alternate constructions andequivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

1. A communication terminal apparatus, comprising: a communication device configured to operatively connect with a host computer; a wireless communication device configured to operatively connect by wireless communication with at least one wireless device; a storage device which stores image information representative of said at least one wireless device; a display device for displaying representative image information of said at least one wireless device that is stored in the storage device when the wireless communication with said at least one wireless device is started; and a designating device which establishes communication with said at least one wireless device thereafter which is designated by a selection of said image information representative of a desired wireless device, wherein said communication device receives and stores image information representative of said at least one wireless device from said host computer when the image information representative of said at least one wireless device is not stored in said storage device, and said communication device, said wireless communication device, said storage device, said display device and said designating device are positioned within said communication terminal apparatus.
 2. A communication method using the communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1 for selectively communicating with wireless equipment, the communication terminal apparatus performing transmission and reception of data with a host computer and at least one wireless device through the communication terminal apparatus after communication is established between the communication terminal apparatus and the at least one wireless device, wherein, when the communication terminal apparatus establishes communication with a desired wireless device, the communication terminal apparatus performs the communication method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving representative equipment information of said at least one wireless device from said at least one wireless device; (b) connecting to said host computer on the basis of said equipment information, and receiving representative image information of said at least one wireless device from the host computer; (c) displaying representative image information of the at least one wireless device in said display device of the communication terminal apparatus on the basis of the representative image information received from said host computer or stored beforehand in said storage device; and (d) establishing communication with said at least one wireless device that is designated by a selection of said representative image information for said desired wireless device.
 3. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising: at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication, and wherein said at least one wireless device includes at least one of a printer, a camera, a personal computer and a wireless phone; and a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with the at least one wireless device, the method comprising: judging whether said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within wireless communication range of each other; judging whether a predetermined key, provided in said at least one wireless device, and a predetermined key, provided in said communication terminal apparatus, are pressed within a predetermined time of each other when it is judged that said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within the the wireless communication range of each other; and establishing the wireless connection between said communication terminal apparatus and said at least one wireless device when it is judged that said predetermined key of said communication terminal apparatus are pressed within the predetermined time of each other.
 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: wirelessly communicating image data between said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus.
 5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: wirelessly communicating the image data between said communication terminal apparatus and a publicly switched network.
 6. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising: at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication, wherein said at least one wireless device includes at least one of a printer, a camera, a personal computer and a wireless phone; and a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device, the method comprising: wirelessly transmitting a key sequence from said communication terminal to said at least one wireless device, wherein the key sequence is inputted by a user; judging whether the key sequence from said communication terminal coincides with a predetermined key sequence stored within said at least one wireless device; and establishing the wireless connection between said communication terminal apparatus and said at least one wireless device when it is judged that the key sequence from said communication terminal coincides with the predetermined key sequence stored within said at least one wireless device.
 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: judging whether said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within wireless communication range of each other, wherein said step of transmitting the key sequence from said communication terminal to said at least one wireless device is performed when it is judged that said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within the wireless communication range of each other.
 8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: wirelessly communicating image data between said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus.
 9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: wirelessly communicating the image data between said communication terminal apparatus and a publicly switched network.
 10. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising: at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication and take a photograph; and a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device and includes a display device, wherein: said at least one wireless device takes a photograph of expression in the display device of said communication terminal apparatus so as to detect displayed contents of the communication terminal apparatus; and said at least one wireless device establishes wireless connection with said communication terminal apparatus when the displayed contents of the communication terminal apparatus are contents predetermined.
 11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: judging whether said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within wireless communication range of each other; and emitting the audible sound from said at least one wireless device when it is judged that said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within the wireless communication range of each other.
 12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: wirelessly communicating image data between said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus.
 13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: wirelessly comunicating the image data between said communication terminal apparatus and a publicly switched network.
 14. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising: at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication and take a photograph; and a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device and includes a display device, wherein: said at least one wireless device takes a photograph of expression in the display device of said communication terminal apparatus so as to detect didplayed contents of the communication terminal apparatus; and said at least one wireless device establishes wireless connection with said communication terminal apparatus when the displayed contents of the communication terminal apparatus are contents predetermined.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said at least one wireless device includes at least one of a printer, a camera, a personal computer and a wireless phone.
 16. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising: at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication, wherein said at least one wireless device includes at least one of a printer, a camera, a personal computer and a wireless phone; and a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device, the method comprising: detecting whether an audible sound is emitted from said at least one wireless device; wirelessly transmitting an acknowledgment from said communication terminal apparatus to said at least one wireless device when it is detected that the audible sound is emitted from said at least one wireless device; wirelessly transmitting a response from said at least one wireless device to said communication terminal apparatus after transmitting the acknowledgement from said communication terminal apparatus to said at least one wireless device; judging whether the response from said at least one wireless device is received by said communication terminal apparatus; and establishing the wireless connection between said communication terminal apparatus and said at least one wireless device when it is judged that the response from said at least one wireless device is received by said communication terminal apparatus. detecting whether said at least one wireless device came into a physical contact with said communication terminal; wirelessly transmitting an impact acknowledgment from said at least one wireless device to said communication terminal apparatus when it is detected that said at least one wireless device came into the physical contact with said communication terminal; judging whether the impact acknowledgement from said at least one wireless device is received by said communication terminal apparatus; and establishing the wireless connection between said at least one wireless device and communication terminal apparatus when it is judged that the impact acknowledgement from said at least one wireless device is received by said communication terminal apparatus.
 17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: wirelessly communicating image data between said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus.
 18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: wirelessly communicating the image data between said communication terminal apparatus and the publicly switched network.
 19. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising: at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication; and a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device and includes an information device giving at least one of sound, light, and vibration, said communication terminal apparatus configured to perform a communication with a public network, the method comprising the steps of: automatically establishing wireless connection when said communication terminal apparatus and said at least one wireless device come within a wireless communication range; and informing a user of establishment of said wireless connection by giving sound, light, or vibration from the information device provided in the communication terminal apparatus when the wireless connection is completely established.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said at least one wireless device includes at least one of a printer, a camera, a personal computer and a wireless phone.
 21. The method according to claim 19, wherein said communication terminal performs said communication with said public network wirelessly.
 22. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: wirelessly communicating image data between said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus.
 23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising: wirelessly communicating the image data between said communication terminal apparatus and a publicly switched network.
 24. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising: at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication; and a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device, the method comprising the steps of: automatically starting communication when said communication terminal apparatus and said at least one wireless device come within a communication range; sending common key information, used for authentication, to said at least one wireless device and establishing wireless connection by detecting that a common key; provided in said at least one wireless device, and a common key, provided in said communication terminal apparatus, are pressed, when it is the first time connection; sending predetermined key information, used for authentication, to said at least one wireless device, and continuing communication as information for recognizing a user by detecting that a predetermined key, provided in said at least one wireless device, and a predetermined key, provided in said communication terminal apparatus, are pressed, when it is the second time connection; and recognizing the user and continuing communication by detecting that a predetermined key, provided in said at least one wireless device, and a predetermined key, provided in said communication terminal apparatus, are pressed, when it is the third time connection or after.
 25. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising: at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication; and communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device, wherein: wireless connection is automatically authenticated each other and established when said communication terminal apparatus and said at least one wireless device come within a communication range; and a user is able to designate a mode, in which mutual authentication is limited to the first time one, or another mode, in which mutual authentication is performed first two times and more, from a designating device provided in the communication terminal apparatus.
 26. A system for selectively communicating with a wireless equipment, said system comprising: a host computer; at least one wireless device; and a communication terminal apparatus for establishing a wireless communication connection between said host computer and said at least one wireless device, wherein said communication terminal apparatus further includes a communication device configured to operatively connect with said host computer; a wireless communication device configured to operatively connect by wireless communication with said at least one wireless device; a storage device which stores image information representative of said at least one wireless device; a display device for displaying representative image information of said at least one wireless device that is stored in the storage device when the wireless communication with said at least one wireless device is started; and a designating device which establishes communication with said at least one wireless device thereafter which is designated by a selection of said image information representative of a desired wireless device, wherein said communication device receives and stores image information representative of said at least one wireless device from said host computer when the image information representative of said at least one wireless device is not stored in said storage device.
 27. The system according to claim 26, wherein said at least one wireless device includes at least one of a printer, a camera, a personal computer and a wireless phone.
 28. The system according to claim 26, wherein said storage device is a memory device.
 29. The system according to claim 28, wherein said memory device is at least on of a CPU, a PROM and RAM.
 30. A connecting equipment, comprising: a wireless transmission and reception device; and an information processing device, wherein, in conjunction with the wireless transmission and reception device, the information processing device is configured to establish a wireless connection with a communication terminal through at least one of responding to a product name request from the communication terminal by transmitting a product name corresponding to the connecting equipment to the communication terminal, responding to a connection acknowledgement signal from the communication terminal by transmitting to the communication terminal a response to a pressing of a key of the connecting equipment by a user, verifying a key sequence entered by the user on the connecting equipment with a key sequence received from the communication terminal, responding to a connection acknowledgement signal from the communication terminal by generating an audible sound detectable by the communication terminal, transmitting an acknowledgement figure displayed by the communication terminal back to the communication terminal, transmitting an acknowledgment flashing from the communication terminal back to the communication terminal, and transmitting a shock detection acknowledgement to the communication terminal.
 31. A method of selectively communicating with wireless equipment in a wireless LAN, the wireless LAN comprising: at least one wireless device configured to perform wireless communication, wherein said at least one wireless device includes at least one of a printer, a camera, a personal computer and a wireless phone; and a communication terminal apparatus configured to perform wireless communication with said at least one wireless device, the method comprising: judging whether said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within wireless communication range of each other; and according to pressing of a key, provided in said at least one wireless device, and pressing a key, provided in said communication terminal apparatus, establishing the wireless connection between said communication terminal apparatus and said at least one wireless device when it is judged that said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus are within the wireless communication range of each other; wirelessly communicating image data between said at least one wireless device and said communication terminal apparatus; and wirelessly communicating the image data between said communication terminal apparatus and a publicly switched network. 